It's half an hour after the Colorado Rapids' preseason game has ended, and Tucson fans are milling around before the start of Saturday's third game at the Desert Diamond Cup. Right at home in the crowd is Rapids' Pablo Mastroeni talking with a group of high school buddies. His title is special assistant to the technical director, but he's been coaching the Rapids in preseason until they make a decision about a head coach.

This year marks the 20th anniversary of the USA hosting the 1994 World Cup and reaching the second round of a World Cup for the first time since 1930. Paul Caligiuri, who also scored the goal that qualified the USA for the 1990 World Cup to end a 40-year drought, is our first subject as we look back on the year two decades ago that changed the course of American soccer.

A story in The Oregonian newspaper Wednesday detailing all the naming sponsorships sold by the Timbers, including a new stadium-rights deal, typifies how dramatically has changed the perception of professional soccer.

Facing fellow World Cup qualifier South Korea in its first game of 2014, the USA strolled to a 2-0 win thanks goals by Chris Wondolowski, who struck in the 4th and 60th minute, with Graham Zusi playing a key role in both.

San Jose Earthquakes forward Chris Wondolowski shook of the demons of missed chances wearing the U.S. jersey earlier in his career by firing a pair of accurate strikes as the Americans opened their 2014 campaign with a 2-0 win Saturday at StubHub Center.